Mayor Richard M. Daley announced a new chief of staff this week and said he hopes he does not have to look for a new education boss.
Mayor Richard M. Daley announced a new chief of staff this week and said he hopes he does not have to look for a new education boss. “If Sen. Obama wants to have him, he could have him. But I would not recommend him because I want to keep him right here in Chicago,” Mayor Daley said Thursday at a news conference at Westcott Elementary School, 409 W. 80th St. “We’re doing so well. We’re on this mission. Everybody’s working together. This is a wonderful team they’ve built up.” He had joined Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan and U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spelling at the school to tout a new cash incentive program for teachers and employees. Duncan is reportedly among the candidates President-elect Barack Obama is considering for Education Secretary. Previously, Obama said he hoped to nominate a candidate by year-end. Like Obama, Duncan and his family lives in the Hyde Park community, and he advised Obama on education issues during his campaign. While in Chicago, Spelling praised Duncan for his work and said he would make a fine replacement. “He’s a terrific school leader. I consider him a fellow reformer and someone who cares deeply about students. He’d be a great choice,” she said. Speculation fueled last week when Duncan visited with Spelling in Washington, D.C. on what Duncan said was a social visit. ______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.